Does hot wire go on top or bottom of light switch?
As we have learned from the basic wiring terminology page, the black wires are “hot”. These wires hold the power. Connect the “source” wire to the bottom terminal of the switch and the other black wire to the top terminal.
What are the 3 wires on a light switch?
In a typical 3-way setup, the 14/3 cable runs from the first switch box to the second switch box.
- Black wire: A black wire is a hot wire, but also a traveler wire.
- Red wire: The second hot/traveler wire is the red wire that serves the same purpose as the black wire between the two switch boxes.
What are the wires in a light switch?
Three wires will be attached to your switch: a hot (black) wire, a neutral (white) wire and a ground (copper) wire. The black and white wires are attached using brass screws.
Does it matter which wire goes where on a light switch?
With a switch loop yes, it should. The hot wire should come down from the ceiling on the white wire and go back up on the black wire. Just think ‘white down, black up’. If you wired it the other way around, hot black down and hot white up, you have a problem.
Can you wire a light switch wrong?
If either wire at the light fixture is still hot then the switch is wired incorrectly. If one of the wires is still hot at the light fixture with the switch in the off position, then you most likely have the light switch on the neutral wire.
Does it matter which way you wire a light switch?
How are the wires connected to a light switch?
Wiring a light switch is very simple. The white (neutral) wire from the power source and the white (neutral) wire that goes to the light fixture get connected to each other. The black (hot) wires are what get connected to the light switch. Again, excuse my paint-covered hands.
What to do if your light switch is turned off?
Use a circuit tester to test ALL of the wires in the junction box. If none of the wires have power with the light switch turned off, then you DO NOT have a switch leg, and this post pertains to your wiring.
Where does the Black Wire come from on a single pole light switch?
A single-pole switch has two brass terminal screws on the side that receive the black (“hot”) wires of the circuit. One black wire comes from the power source and the other goes to the light(s). When you turn the switch off, it interrupts the electricity that flows through the black wire from the power source to the fixture.
What kind of cable do you need for a light switch?
When wiring switches, this type of cable may be used as a switch leg—where you need two black wires to go from the switch to black wires located at the light or at an intermediate electrical box.